Arsenal have identified Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper Julio Cesar as the man to solve their keeper problems and put pressure on young but inconsistent first choice Wojciech Szczesny.
Arsene Wenger wants an experienced keeper for the coming season according to several reports and with Cesar keen on staying in London, the move would suit both parties.
Settled in London
Roma have been linked with the Brazil goalkeeper but after settling in London, he wants to remain there and with QPR resigned to his departure, Arsenal are front runners for his signature.
Cesar’s £70,000-a-week wages are unlikely to cause a problem and his parent club are willing to accept offers of around £2 million according to the Daily Mail.
Talks to resume soon
Arsenal’s scouts have been watching Cesar closely at the Confederations Cup, where he has helped Brazil reach the final, and will look to conclude talks once the competition finishes.
Brief talks have taken place between representatives of Cesar and Arsenal and these will resume once the tournament finishes tonight.
Cesar, 33-years-old, could come straight into the first team and take over from the talented Szczesny.
The Pole lost his place during the season to Lukasz Fabianski but finished the campaign strongly. His talent is without question but he lacks consistency and the temperament to be a top goalkeeper, yet.
Although at just 23, he will have plenty of chances to assert himself as Arsenal No.1 but will have to out budge Cesar if he completes his move to North London.
Top performers
Despite getting relegated last season with QPR, the Brazilian was one of their top performers and was widely praised throughout the season. Harry Redknapp has already confirmed that he is too good a keeper to be playing in the Championship.
He made some mistakes midway through the season but regained his focus although he was still unable to prevent the West London club getting relegated.
It is common knowledge that Arsenal Wenger has a £70 million transfer kitty but he is reluctant to spend a large chunk of that on the goalkeeper’s position.
Excellent addition
The signing of Cesar would be an excellent capture for Wenger. Arsenal strong end to the season could be largely put down to a solid defence and if they can continue that into the new season, they can be a force in the Premier League.
The additional of Cesar should help Arsenal’s defence even more and it will be interesting to see how the Gunners do if they can acquire the attacking players they require.
A departure
Someone that could be leaving the Emirates to accommodate a space for Cesar is Vito Mannone.
Sunderland are looking to sign the 25-year-old permanently as a replacement for Simon Mignolet who joined Liverpool.
Mannone has never established himself since he arrived in 2005 from Atalanta and despite having a successful loans spell at Hull City last season, he is surplus to requirements at the Emirates.
He is expected to hold talks with the Wearside club next week ahead of a move as Paolo Di Canio looks to improve his squad.
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Because Brazil dont have any better keepers to pick from would be my guess.
If he was any good, he wouldnt have ended up at QPR in the first place. Inter couldnt wait to get rid of him as he had been dodgy for several years, but a few youtube highlights and all is forgotten.